The Werner Bischof Estate presents the exhibition Unseen Colour at the Fox Talbot Museum of the National Trust in Lacock (UK)
Unseen Colour shows the unknown work of Swiss photographer Werner Bischof (1916–54), one of the great names of the 20th-century and celebrated member of the cooperative Magnum Photos. Known for his iconic black-and-white images, he started, as early as 1939, to use the innovative DEVIN Tricolor ‘one-shot’ camera for studio experiments, advertising and fashion images. Later for his documentation of Europe (1945-49).
Although Bischof wanted to become a painter, he decided to train as a photographer at the School of Applied Arts in Zurich. On his travels, he often sketched scenes before photographing them, an approach with the camera as an artist. His use of colour, though long overshadowed by his black-and-white legacy, was always quietly present—waiting to be seen.
Andy Cochrane, curator of the Fox Talbot Museum, says:
“It’s perfect that the UK premiere of Werner Bischof’s Unseen Colour is at the Fox Talbot Museum in Lacock. Henry Fox Talbot developed photography here because he couldn’t paint or draw. Constance Talbot—one of the world’s earliest women photographers—preferred painting over photography. Bischof’s exhibition brings together the artistic ambitions of both Henry and Constance Talbot in a truly meaningful way.”
The Werner Bischof Estate thanks the generous support of MASI Lugano and the Fotostiftung Schweiz, for restauration and exhibiting this colour work.
In collaboration with Magnum Photos.
Werner Bischof : Unseen Colour
from 31 May 2025 – 31 May 2026
Fox Talbot Museum of the National Trust
Lacock, Chippenham
SN15 2LG, United Kingdom
www.wernerbischof.com
